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The late 1950s saw rally greats navigating in lavish vehicles, unsuitable for everyday use. Alec Issigonis, on behalf of BMC, introduced the classic Mini in 1959, revolutionizing small cars with its transverse engine and front-wheel drive. The collaboration with racing legend John Cooper led to the creation of the Mini Cooper, a potent rally contender. This underdog role, a recurrent theme in Mini’s history, birthed the iconic go-kart feeling.
The classic Mini Cooper, launched in 1960 with 55 horsepower, disrupted high-speed racing norms. The Finnish duo, Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen, joined Paddy Hopkirk, forming a formidable team. With meticulous planning by Stuart Turner, BMC set new standards in service organization and introduced “ice spies” for reconnaissance. The Mini’s power-to- weight ratio and neutral driving behavior made it an ideal rally car.